MAY 03, 2008
NOW GROWING: Carpenteria californica
LATE APRIL IN the garden is the peak of spring blooming, leafing, sprouting, and birds and insects hatching and feasting. The heat is on, and soon the plump bright greens of spring will toughen as the temperatures soar.

The winter rains abandoned the Bay Area early this year, and the talk of a drought is now a reality. Gardening during drought times is always a challenge, but fortunately for Bay Area gardeners, there are many resources for establishing and maintaining a garden that uses little water.
FULL STORY (CC TIMES / PDF)

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Every other week, Patrice Hanlon, Garden Manager at Walnut Creek's Gardens at Heather Farm, writes about plants that grow well in the fertile Bay Area, giving the botanical history and cultivation requirements so you can decide for yourself whether this would be a welcome addition to your garden.

OTHER ARTICLES OF THE SERIES

•Coral bells bloom happily (April 18, 2008)

• Aquilegia formosa (April 04, 2008)

• Forsythia brightens the garden with spring yellow (March 21, 2008)

• Star Magnolia shines brightly in spring garden (March 07, 2008)

• Bulbinella plants love winter rain (February 23, 2008)

• Silk-tassel puts on a winter display (February 8, 2008)

• Happy Wanderer lopes into winter (January25, 2008)

• Marigolds brighten gardens, help other plants (January11, 2008)

• Berberis aquifolium arrives early (December 28, 2007)

• Beautiful winter garden exposes the bones (December 15, 2007)

• Hummingbirds tuned in to Ribes (December 1, 2007)

• Get ready for spring break (November 17, 2007)

• Toyon splashes winter gray with red (November 2, 2007)

• Arbutus reveals its inner beauty (October 20, 2007)

(ARCHIVED articles)

• Fall perfect time to prepare for spring (Walnut Creek Journal - November 11, 2007) - an interview with Adult Education Coordinator Jean Rowe